A system and method for automatically determining the appropriate printhead/ink tank installation position to move a carrier transporting the printhead/ink tanks for a printing device is presented. The carrier transporting the printhead/ink tank moves along a carrier frame and is covered by a protective cover. Once the protective cover is raised on the printing device, the status of the ink tank is sensed. Based on the ink tank status, the printing device carrier is moved to the appropriate printhead/ink tank installation position. In one embodiment, the status of the ink tank is determined by using the ink presence sensor. In another embodiment, the status of the ink tank is determined by using near field wireless communication with the memory of the ink tank.